Forest born

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Language
English

Description

Rin, Razo's little sister, is haunted by the Forest she has always loved. When Razo invites her back to the city to be one of Queen Ani's waiting women, she happily accepts...only to end up on the adventure of her lifetime, following the queen, Enna, and Dasha into the countryside in search of a fire-starting enemy that no one can see. As she learns more about the three women's magical talents, she finds her own strength comes from places both expected--trees--and unexpected--the sound of her own voice. A brilliant addition to the Books of Bayern, this book is a treat for fans of this series, and stands alone for readers who might be discovering the joys of Shannon Hale's writing for the first time.

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Contributors
Hale, Shannon Author
full cast, a Narrator
ISBN
9781599901671
9781599906140
9780792797142

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Also in this Series

  • The goose girl (Books of Bayern Volume 1) Cover
  • Enna burning (Books of Bayern Volume 2) Cover
  • River secrets (Books of Bayern Volume 3) Cover
  • Forest born (Books of Bayern Volume 4) Cover

Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These series are based in traditional fairy tales, though both series add an unconventional twist. While the Books of Bayern have a more leisurely pace, both character-driven series include complex and unique heroines. -- Alina Gerall
Although Little Thieves is more irreverent, both of these character-driven, atmospheric retellings of the Goose Girl expand the essential characters and worlds into richly detailed, fantastic stories that shift the reader's perspective on the source fairy tale. -- Robin Brenner
These series have the appeal factors character-driven, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "fairy tale and folklore-inspired fiction"; and the subject "imaginary kingdoms."
These series have the appeal factors character-driven, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; the subjects "imaginary kingdoms" and "teenage girls"; and characters that are "authentic characters."
These series have the appeal factors evocative, leisurely paced, and lyrical, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "imaginary kingdoms" and "teenage girls."
These series have the genre "fantasy fiction"; and the subject "imaginary kingdoms."
These series have the appeal factors leisurely paced, character-driven, and first person narratives, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "imaginary kingdoms" and "teenage girls"; and characters that are "complex characters."
These series have the appeal factors evocative and leisurely paced, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "imaginary kingdoms" and "teenage romance."
These series have the theme "court intrigue"; the genre "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "imaginary kingdoms," "teenage girls," and "teenagers."
These series have the appeal factors evocative and richly detailed, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "imaginary kingdoms" and "teenage romance."
These series have the appeal factors evocative and leisurely paced, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "imaginary kingdoms," "teenage girls," and "teenage romance."
These series have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "fairy tale and folklore-inspired fiction"; and the subjects "imaginary kingdoms" and "teenage girls."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors romantic and lyrical, and they have the subjects "self-esteem," "women rulers," and "princesses"; and characters that are "well-developed characters," "sympathetic characters," and "complex characters."
These books have the appeal factors romantic, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "self-discovery in teenagers," "teenage girls," and "sixteen-year-old girls"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors romantic, evocative, and multiple perspectives, and they have the theme "court intrigue"; the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "women rulers," "courts and courtiers," and "imaginary kingdoms"; and characters that are "well-developed characters" and "flawed characters."
These books have the appeal factors romantic and character-driven, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "women rulers," "imaginary kingdoms," and "teenage girls."
These books have the appeal factors romantic, lyrical, and intricately plotted, and they have the theme "court intrigue"; the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "courts and courtiers," "imaginary kingdoms," and "teenage girls"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors leisurely paced, and they have the theme "epic heroines"; the genre "epic fantasy"; the subjects "courts and courtiers," "good and evil," and "imaginary kingdoms"; and characters that are "likeable characters" and "introspective characters."
These books have the appeal factors romantic, and they have the theme "court intrigue"; and the subjects "courts and courtiers," "imaginary kingdoms," and "love triangles."
These books have the appeal factors romantic, leisurely paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "women rulers," "courts and courtiers," and "imaginary kingdoms"; and characters that are "complex characters."
NoveList recommends "Woodcutter sisters" for fans of "Books of Bayern". Check out the first book in the series.
These books have the appeal factors romantic and lyrical, and they have the subjects "imaginary kingdoms," "self-discovery in teenagers," and "teenage girls."
These books have the appeal factors romantic and lyrical, and they have the genre "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "women rulers," "courts and courtiers," and "imaginary kingdoms."
NoveList recommends "Little thieves" for fans of "Books of Bayern". Check out the first book in the series.

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
There is plenty of action in both of these fantasy authors' books, in which spunky, engaging characters inhabit richly detailed fantasy worlds. The lyrical language is icing on the cake. -- Kathy Stewart
If you love capable fantasy heroines, both Merrie Haskell and Shannon Hale will deliver. Both authors write lyrical fantasy featuring young women learning to navigate complex, historical-feeling settings as they discover their potential. -- Allie Jackson
Graphic novel readers looking for relatable, contemporary stories about girls navigating the pitfalls of friendships, family, and school will enjoy graphic memoirs by both of these authors. -- NoveList Contributor
These authors' works have the appeal factors action-packed, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "fairy tale and folklore-inspired fiction"; and the subjects "characters and characteristics in fairy tales" and "schools."
These authors' works have the appeal factors amusing and action-packed, and they have the subject "princesses"; and illustrations that are "colorful illustrations" and "cartoony illustrations."
These authors' works have the genre "fairy tale and folklore-inspired fiction"; and the subjects "princesses," "monsters," and "characters and characteristics in fairy tales."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Hale adds a fourth entry to her Books of Bayern series with this exciting, stand-alone title focused on teenaged Rin, who follows her brother, Razo, from their forest home to the city's royal court. Characters from the series' previous titles all hold major roles in the ensuing adventures in which Rin joins a battle to protect Bayern from evil forces. As usual, Hale's vivid, poetic language; romantic and action-filled plot twists; and friendship themes create a rich, satisfying read. But it's Rin's sensitively drawn struggle to recognize and accept her own power that will stay with readers most.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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School Library Journal Review

Gr 7-11-In her fourth fantasy about the land of Bayern, Hale has created a strong stand-alone companion to The Goose Girl (2003), Enna Burning (2004), and River Secrets (2006, all Bloomsbury). Forest Born centers on Razo's sister, Rin, and her special abilities. The struggle that she goes through as she begins to recognize her talent of persuasion and her elemental connection to the forest brings the typical fantasy themes of good vs. evil to a place that makes them very personal. Rin discovered as a child that her words could be powerful. But that power left her feeling confused and wrong. Since that time, the wrongness has curled up like a snake inside her, making her doubt whether she can ever find peace. Rin encounters Isi, Enna, and Dasha from the previous Bayern stories and through them she finds hope; perhaps what makes her different could be a blessing, if she is able to find balance in her gifts. Lurking throughout the story is the tumultuous backdrop of diplomatic negotiations and threats of war. Everything finally comes to a head when Isi's nemesis from Goose Girl returns and kidnaps her son. All four women need to work together to defeat Selia, who has been completely corrupted and consumed by her people-speaking power of persuasion. Fans of the earlier titles as well as admirers of the genre will find Rin's journey a compelling read.-Genevieve Gallagher, Buford Middle School, Charlottesville, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Horn Book Review

(Middle School) In this fourth entry in the Books of Bayern series, Forest-born Rin feels peace among the trees, but when they shut her out after she kisses a boy, she can't bear it and leaves home. Traveling to the City with her brother Razo (River Secrets, rev. 9/06), she gets a position as a lady-in-waiting to Isi the queen, and when the queen and her entourage (including Enna, fire-speaker, and Dasha, water-speaker) embark on a secret quest to investigate an attack on Isi's husband, Rin goes along. Through their travels, Rin begins to learn about her tree-speaking ability and to develop her own confidence by copying the queen; her new strengths are put to the test when Isi's infant son is kidnapped by the queen's old enemy and Rin is the only one at liberty to save him. Hale goes beyond adolescent angst to serious emotional turmoil as Rin confronts the suppressed circumstances around the kiss, the reason for the trees' disgust, and an unforeseen talent that tips the balance in the struggle for the queen's son. All is told in Hale's assured voice, drawing the details of her invented countries with precision and depth. Strong characters define the series: commanding Isi, passionate Enna, wily Razo, and now shadowed Rin. Newcomers will find this book an easy entry point, and fans will need no excuse to dive back into Hale's fantasy world. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

Hale, like her readers, has clearly been enchanted with the characters she brought forth in her Books of Bayern (The Goose Girl, 2003, etc.). This fourth volume centers on Razo's little sister Rinna, who adores her Ma and her siblings' babies and finds peace among the trees but cannot get her words and feelings right. When Rin is 15, Razo brings her to the castle where he is guard. Rin finds a place caring for the two-year-old princeling and learns from Isi, the queen who can control the wind. Isi, Enna, who wields fire, and Razo's own Dasha, who hears water, are immediately called upon to save a fragile peace. Rin's inner demonsconnected to powers she does not yet graspare fascinatingly explored. An evil nemesis rises again from an earlier tale, and while she is not as fully drawn as the other characters she will be recognized. One doesn't need to have read the earlier books to become enraptured by this one, but doing so adds to the richness of these very satisfying tales. (Fantasy. 12 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

Hale adds a fourth entry to her Books of Bayern series with this exciting, stand-alone title focused on teenaged Rin, who follows her brother, Razo, from their forest home to the city's royal court. Characters from the series' previous titles all hold major roles in the ensuing adventures in which Rin joins a battle to protect Bayern from evil forces. As usual, Hale's vivid, poetic language; romantic and action-filled plot twists; and friendship themes create a rich, satisfying read. But it's Rin's sensitively drawn struggle to recognize and accept her own power that will stay with readers most. Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.
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School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 7–11—In her fourth fantasy about the land of Bayern, Hale has created a strong stand-alone companion to The Goose Girl (2003), Enna Burning (2004), and River Secrets (2006, all Bloomsbury). Forest Born centers on Razo's sister, Rin, and her special abilities. The struggle that she goes through as she begins to recognize her talent of persuasion and her elemental connection to the forest brings the typical fantasy themes of good vs. evil to a place that makes them very personal. Rin discovered as a child that her words could be powerful. But that power left her feeling confused and wrong. Since that time, the wrongness has curled up like a snake inside her, making her doubt whether she can ever find peace. Rin encounters Isi, Enna, and Dasha from the previous Bayern stories and through them she finds hope; perhaps what makes her different could be a blessing, if she is able to find balance in her gifts. Lurking throughout the story is the tumultuous backdrop of diplomatic negotiations and threats of war. Everything finally comes to a head when Isi's nemesis from Goose Girl returns and kidnaps her son. All four women need to work together to defeat Selia, who has been completely corrupted and consumed by her people-speaking power of persuasion. Fans of the earlier titles as well as admirers of the genre will find Rin's journey a compelling read.—Genevieve Gallagher, Buford Middle School, Charlottesville, VA

[Page 160]. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
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